AACHC Celebrates 40 Years of Advancing Healthcare Across Arizona
Left to right: Brenda Hanserd, AACHC CFO; Wendy Armendariz, board chair and Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) CEO; Jessica Yanow, AACHC president and CEO; Jennifer Longdon, AACHC chief external affairs officer; Lisa Nieri AACHC chief programs officer; and Jen Jonas, AACHC chief people and culture officer post ribbon cutting at AACHC's 40th anniversary open house.
PHOENIX, Feb. 18, 2025 – The Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC), the state’s Primary Care Association (PCA), proudly announces a yearlong celebration of its 40th anniversary, featuring a series of events and an open house at its new location in midtown Phoenix.
For four decades, AACHC has been advancing access to healthcare in Arizona, supporting the state’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) — the largest primary care network in the state. Today, the organization continues to champion “primary healthcare for all” by providing health center staff with training, technical assistance, programmatic support, and advocacy. AACHC’s dedication to advancing the vital work of Community Health Centers has cemented its role as a key driver in building stronger and healthier communities, a position it intends to uphold for the next 40 years.
“As we commemorate this milestone, we’re focused on the future and celebrating our role in advancing access to healthcare in Arizona,” says Jessica Yanow, AACHC president and CEO. “Our deep-rooted connection to the health and well-being of our communities and the dedication of our Community Health Centers have fueled our success, and we’re gearing up for the next 40 years.”
When AACHC became the Primary Care Association, there were 9 health centers in Arizona, which have now increased to 24. AACHC’s influence on increasing access to crucial primary care has been marked by milestones such as sponsoring the formation of the Arizona Interagency Farmworkers Coalition (AIFC); serving as the Central Arizona Area Health Education Center to strengthen workforce opportunities; more than a dedicate leading Arizona’s Navigator Program to enroll Arizonans in Medicaid and Marketplace; and connecting CHCs with training and resources that support staffing and operations.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Arizona’s CHCs and partners for their unwavering support” says Yanow. “Together, we’re setting the stage for the next 40 years of growth and development for community-based health center programs.”
For more information on Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers, visit aachc.org.
About AACHC
The Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) is the Primary Care Association (PCA) for Arizona. Since 1985, AACHC has provided training and technical assistance to Arizona’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) in their mission to deliver comprehensive, high-quality primary healthcare services to underserved and vulnerable populations in rural and urban communities. Representing CHCs across the state, AACHC is dedicated to ensuring access to healthcare for all Arizonans.